What It Means to Follow Christ

Following Christ is a joyful life, but it is not an easy life. It requires personal discipline to study his word, learn his ways, and walk in them. The Lord challenged his audience on one occasion, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24). Reflect on the weight of that prerequisite to discipleship for a moment.

What does it mean to “deny” one’s self? It means to surrender my rights, privileges, and choices to Christ – all of them. This is what the Savior meant by “lose his life for my sake.” To illustrate, it means to hold the TV remote in your hand, but whether you turn it on or what you choose to watch, those choices belong to Christ. We give him the choice by evaluating whether or what we choose to watch by his word. We ask ourselves, “Is this a good use of my time presently? Is there something better I should or could be doing? Is this show honoring to the Lord or does it glorify sinful behavior?”

We live our lives before an audience of One. We govern our thoughts, our words, our relationships, our pursuits, our entertainment, our lives by his word. It is a life-long journey that is fueled by a growing knowledge of what pleases Him. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (I Thessalonians 4:1; emphasis added).

No believer can know this kind of walk or this kind of obedience in his own power. So Christ tells those who follow him to “take up his cross daily”. The believers in Jesus’ day knew full well the implications of the cross.  The cross is an instrument of death. We must die daily to self in order to “walk in newness of life” as Paul told the believers in Rome. He goes on to say “that our old man is crucified with him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6). The old man is that nature we received from Adam at birth that is subject to the law of sin in our members. It is living daily in the light of our death to sin that enables us to follow Jesus.

He who rejects this path in order to “save his life shall lose it”. Christ goes on to say, “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and be cast away?” (Luke 9:25). Yes, following Jesus requires that we “lose our life for his sake.” But we dare not lose sight of the promise that goes with that requirement. Jesus promised “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it.”

This admonition from the Lord remains faithful. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Which gate are you seeking?

One That Mocked

J. M. Boice said, “Many who have resisted a Christian’s logic have been won by his tears.” I can’t help but wonder if believers in today’s church are mired in a “tearless” Christianity. Without question our responses have been blunted to the open and unashamed sin that permeates our nation. Sexual immorality, unbridled violence, deceit and treachery fill the air waves, print media, and movie theaters. Even many of our elected officials, sports heroes, TV celebrities and opinion leaders in our communities “call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). They embrace lifestyles and ideologies that remain censured by God’s word. We are seemingly indifferent, yet the Psalmist wrote “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law” (Psalm 119:136).

Sin does not seem to shock us anymore. It is no longer an unexpected visitor appearing on the scene of our daily routine, but rather, it has become a frequent and welcome guest at our table. So much so that we can no longer blush at its performance. Would to God that he would remove the callousness from our hearts that we might genuinely grieve over sin and its consequences. If only we could see sin as the Lord sees it – an affront to his holiness, the ruin of countless lives, the early messenger of hell itself. Perhaps then we would see the lost as Christ himself saw them, i.e. with true compassion. How needy we are before God and we do not know it!

Maybe one reason that we are so passive toward the expression of sin around us is that we have become “good neighbors” to it in our own lives. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, was guilty of this very thing. God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for its sins. Two angels were sent from God to Lot to deliver him from the city before fire and brimstone rained down. They told him “we will destroy this place, because the cry of them [the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah] is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:13-14; emphasis added).

Lot seemed as “one that mocked.” His own life’s demeanor made his message of warning to seem as some kind of joke. How tragic! As a result, his sons in law died with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah.

How would a warning against sin and its consequences sound coming from your lips? We can be sure that God will keep his word and judge sin even as he did Sodom and Gomorrah. In fact, Peter reminds his audience of God’s faithful judgment referring to those cities. “God…turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that should after live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:4-6; emphasis added). Would our warning come as from “one that mocked”?

In the Image of God

Much of our conduct one toward another in society today is characterized by unkindness, harsh words, blatant disrespect, and even outright hatred. Civility and common courtesy are simply behaviors we now read about in old novels. Our speech one toward another is often filled with outright contempt to the point that we even celebrate and commend it when expressed by others. One fundamental truth that has been eclipsed by the post-modern thought storming into our lives is that we are made in the image of God.

The Scriptures record this simple but unimpeachable testimony, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27; emphasis added). While there may be some variations in just what it means to be made in his image, most Bible scholars agree that this image includes one key consideration. God made us in his moral likeness with the capacity to fellowship, commune and worship him. Nothing else in his created universe shares this quality – only mankind. Man and woman are the very zenith of his creation. We alone are made in his image and this truth has significance and far reaching implications.

Man’s fall into sin left this image severely marred, almost to the point of being unrecognizable. Nonetheless, faint as it may be, it is there! We dare not lose sight of this truth. It is the fundamental common feature of our humanity that demands mutual honor and respect. We are each made in the image of God; therefore, we should not pervert judgment. We treat the poor and rich alike in justice and fairness. We are each made in the image of God; therefore, we show mercy and compassion to those less fortunate. We are each made in the image of God; therefore, we treat even those who violate society’s laws with dignity, however unworthy their behavior.

The fact that we are made in the image of God is of no small consequence. It is the basis for capital punishment. For one man to murder another is to disregard God’s stamp upon his creation. Consequently, God declared to Noah “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6; emphasis added).

This image is communicated to every man and woman. None are excluded. Even the unborn child bears this image. God told Jeremiah, the prophet, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

Yes, indeed, the image of God has been marred by sin. But God is in the business of restoring that image through the gospel of his saving grace. This gospel has to do with his Son, Jesus, who was made “to be sin for us…that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through faith in Christ we can have that image rightly restored.

Watch and Learn!

Periodically, I have the privilege of playing golf with my twelve-year old grandson. Often, he stands in the tee box and looks back over his shoulder as he remarks to me, “Grandpa, watch and learn!” I laugh every time he says it, whether he hits it well or poorly. I admire his boldness. His challenge reminds me of the value of an example and, even more important, that God expects me to “watch and learn.”

There are many examples that are paraded before us throughout our lives – some good, some bad. But there is something to learn from them each and to profit by in our own lives. I recall learning to respect my mother from my brother’s failed example. He made the poor choice to respond to her with harshness and gross disrespect in the hearing of my father. Wow! I learned that day to not speak as he did to my Mom.

God gives us numerous examples for different purposes with the intent that we might indeed watch and learn. Recently, my wife and I became aware of a 17-year old teenager with stage four cancer. Treatments are intensely destructive as most cancer treatments are. Apart from God’s intervention, he is looking at three to four months of life. We think how tragic, yet his example teaches us of the brevity and uncertainty of life. The Psalmist understood this truth and pleaded with God to “teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). I am challenged by this young man’s example to evaluate my own priorities and pursuits knowing that life is a gift from God and can be called at any time. Every time I go to a funeral, this truth raises its ugly head.

Face it – God intends for us to learn from others. He brings examples before us that we might learn wisdom and walk in a way that pleases him. If we are paying attention, we learn to follow good paths and to avoid hard ones. It is tragic that we don’t learn readily as we should from these examples. Think of the hardship and disappointment we would avoid if we did. Think of the joys and blessings we have forfeited. Yet, this axiom unfortunately remains true, experience (our own and not others’) is the best teacher.

The proof of our learning from the example of others is found in our walk. Have we learned from them and put into practice the truth that their example has revealed? To put it another way, what kind of example am I to others? Everyone is an example for good or for bad. We have no choice in this matter. My life screams to those around me, “watch and learn.” Who is watching you and what are they learning?

Another Gospel That Is Not Another

Paul’s epistle to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2) is one of (if not his most) passionate letters. The believers there were being wooed to another gospel that was not the gospel of Christ that Paul had delivered unto them. The purity and simplicity of the true gospel was being jettisoned for a gospel not of grace but of works; not unto salvation but unto damnation. The eternal danger of this false gospel was met by Paul with scriptural denunciation wrapped in fervent exhortation for there was much at stake.

Paul had visited this region on his first missionary journey and planted the church there at that time. He visited them again on his second missionary journey and delivered unto them the confirmation of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) that circumcision was not essential to salvation. There had been those professing believers among the Jews that maintained it was necessary to keep the law, particularly being circumcised, in order to be saved. Now these false teachers had infiltrated the Galatian churches spreading their damnable lie, making the gospel of grace a gospel of works. He wrote “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you unto the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another” (Galatians 1:6-7).

This false teaching, making circumcision a necessary part of salvation was “another” gospel, i.e. different than the gospel Paul had preached to them. The Greek word is heteros meaning different. The word translated as “another” the second time is the Greek word allos meaning “of the same kind”. It is the same word used by Christ when he promised his disciples concerning the Holy Spirit “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever” (John 14:16; emphasis added).

Paul asserted that those who proclaim this false gospel “pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7) and followed this testimony with the most vehement curse. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). This was no mild oath by Paul, but carried with it all the weight of his apostolic authority. To tamper with the one true gospel is to invite eternal damnation.

Paul’s warning then should be compelling to us today. There is only one gospel of Jesus Christ – he was crucified for our sins, buried and rose again the third day. We are saved by trusting in him for the forgiveness of our sins. There is nothing we can add – baptism, church membership, charitable giving, even being the Rotary Club Man of the Year. We are saved only by grace and nothing else. Otherwise, it is not grace. Where is your hope? Have you been misled by “another gospel”?

Thankful for a Life Changed by Grace

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (I Thessalonians 1:2). Thanksgiving to God for his grace in the life of others was a common practice of the Apostle Paul. He related this thanksgiving in his epistles to the Romans (1:8), the Ephesians (1:15), the Philippians (1:3), the Colossians (1:3), and even in his letter to Philemon (1:4). His thankfulness was both genuine and pervasive. Paul thanked God because salvation is the work of God and no one else.

In his thanksgiving, Paul often cited particular characteristics that he observed that prompted this thanksgiving and prayers. In the case of the Thessalonians, Paul expressly remembered in prayer “without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:3). These three qualities evidenced their belief in the gospel and conversion.

Their work of faith testified to their relationship to God and trust in him while engaged in something that looked beyond this present world. Faith governed their walk now – not sight. They shaped their pursuits and practice according to God’s word. They filtered all that they saw and experienced through the lens of Scripture and that lens defined their worldview and their work.

Paul noted as well their labor of love. These believers were propelled along their journey by their love for Christ and, as a result, their love for each other as well as all men. Love guided their interactions with all that they encountered. They no longer lived for themselves, but “unto him who died for them. and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). This translated into a love for the souls of men, which trumped other worldly endeavors giving eternal purpose to their daily living.

Finally, Paul saw a steadfastness in their path and progression. They held fast to their profession by their unwavering hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were not dismayed by persecution or hardship of any kind. Rather, with undiminished resolve they followed after “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

What is plain from Paul’s commendation of these believers is that these characteristics were observable. He plainly states “not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven” (I Thessalonians 1:8-9). To put it another way, a life changed by God is plain to see. Does your life reveal a life changed by the gospel of God’s saving grace? Would others see and be constrained to give thanks?

God Rules in the Affairs of Nations, Men, and Me

The Bible teaches us that God owns everything. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1). He created all things; consequently, he owns all things. This right of ownership extends to the people “that dwell therein.” The prophet Isaiah records for us that “he [the LORD] …giveth breath unto the people upon it [the earth] and spirit to them that walk therein” (Isaiah 42:5). Everything we see around us belongs to God and is “on loan” to us, even our very lives.

Though many would acknowledge God’s ownership, they would stop short of admitting to God’s active governance in the affairs of men. Yet the Scriptures testify plainly and often to God’s purposeful administration of his sovereign will. When it comes to nations, Daniel, a godly counselor to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, reminds us “he [God] removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Moses tells us the “Most High divided to the nations their inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:8) and Jeremiah more plainly relates God’s assertion “I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me” (Jeremiah 27:5; emphasis added).

Paul becomes even more specific when writing to the church in Ephesus. He tells the believers there “we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added). We may not see the hand of God as he works out all things, but we can be assured that he is doing so. God said of Cyrus, the King of Persia, who was used by God rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, “For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:4-5). This prophecy concerning God’s working and plan occurred 200 years before Cyrus was even born!

God’s intimate and purposeful activity with his creation is a thought-provoking truth. There are many implications and responses worthy of consideration. One seems to stand out among others. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law” (Galatians 4:4). The fullness of time speaks to the right time in history. God moved through all of the events of history to bring about his desired set of circumstances for the crucifixion of Christ and, since that time, moves to bring about the right circumstance for the return and reign of his Son, Jesus. We, each one of us, are a necessary part of that history, God’s plan. Our lives are not about us, but about him. Christ will return and God’s plan will be accomplished. Are you ready?

Walking in Righteousness

Paul asks a question of the Corinthians as a platform to provoke them to right thinking.  “Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9-10). 

One amplification is needed to make these verses more useful to our hearts and minds.  The “unrighteous” of whom Paul speaks are those individuals who have never repented of their sins and trusted Christ as their Savior.  As a result, the unrighteous have never been born again and, therefore, do not have the Holy Spirit residing in them to enable them to live above the snare of these evil practices.  In essence, walking in sin is a way of life for this individual.

The Apostle John speaks similarly in his epistle.  “Whosoever abideth in him (Christ) sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning” (I John 3:6-8).  Those that know Christ do not follow after sin, but walk in righteousness through obedience to his word.  On the other hand, those that do not know Christ follow the path of their father, the devil.  They really have no choice.

Both Paul and John appeal to their readers to not be deceived.  Nothing could be more plain.  John tells us that Christ was “manifested to take away our sins” (I John 3:5).  Those who have been delivered from their sins demonstrate the truth of that transaction by walking in righteousness.  Those who have never been forgiven of their sins continue in them; their lives are marked by sinful practices.

Paul captures the reality of this change in one’s life when he declares to the Corinthians immediately after the list cited above “and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:10).  This is true for every believer.  The sins that characterized our past have been forgiven.  We have new life in Christ and have been delivered from those sins. 

This change in our walk is behind Paul’s command to the Philippians when he says “let your conversation (walk or manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:27).  The gospel delivers from sin – its guilt and power.  Paul was telling them to live lives that show forth that deliverance.  Is your life marked by the deliverance of the gospel of Christ?  Are you walking in righteousness?

The Father of Mercies

Paul, in writing to the Corinthian believers, referred to God as the “Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). What a precious appellation for our God! It speaks to the very character and nature of God himself, not just an exercise of frequent goodness. The nature of God is to be merciful, i.e. withholding from men that which we truly deserve – judgement. In fact, God declared to Jeremiah, the prophet, “I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness [steadfast mercy], judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight “(Jeremiah 9:24). God not only extends mercy, but delights in doing so.

The amazing paradox is that his mercy is never at the expense of righteousness for in this, too, he delights. After all, God is absolutely righteous and holy and all of his works are done in righteousness. How can God show mercy and still be righteous? The answer is found in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the sins of mankind. The judgement of God for ALL of our sins was poured out on Christ when he suffered death in our place at Calvary. The Scriptures declare “For he [God] made him [Christ] to be sin [a sin offering] for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). God is free to exercise mercy consistent with his nature because Christ has born the penalty for every sin of every man, woman, and child!

As a Christian I am the object of God’s mercy each day, every day, all day long! David testified “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). Thomas Watson, a 17th century preacher wrote “Every time you draw in breath, you suck in mercy.” My sinful nature did not change when I trusted Christ for my salvation, but the blood of Christ requires God to treat me just as if I had never sinned.  This truth is the divine pillow upon which every child of God rests his weary soul. How wonderful the words from John Newton’s familiar hymn, Amazing Grace:

                              Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

                              I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

For those who have never accepted God’s payment for their sins in the person of Jesus Christ, God shows mercy in patiently inviting and waiting for them to repent. But some day it will be too late. For while the blood of Christ is sufficient payment for all of mankind’s sins, it is only efficient for those who believe, i.e. those who trust Christ as their Savior. The world is divided along this single line. There is no other relevant point of division – not gender, race, ethnic background, etc. There are those who have hidden their souls in the mercy of God and those who stand outside in rebellion and unbelief. Nothing else is of consequence to God or to us.

Peace in Our Times!

We live in uncertain times. But if we are honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that uncertainty has characterized all of our times. What then makes these times seem different even to the point of fostering fear and anxiety? Current events cast an ominous shadow and threaten the stability of our daily lives. World peace is revealed as fragile at best, nothing more than a house of cards. Economic prosperity has grown elusive making it to appear beyond reach altogether. Law and order is no longer predictable making basic societal functions increasingly risky. Historic cultural absolutes are now questioned and fundamental premises denied. Add to all this, wickedness appears unchecked and the lack of civility has permeated society. Is it any wonder that anxiety dominates so many lives today?

There is hope! An event in the history of Judah will illustrate this unfailing option. The nation of Assyria grew to empire status in the 8th century B.C. It overran the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carried the Israelites captive back to Assyria in 722 B.C. Now this evil empire stood on the threshold of doing the same to Judah. In that very threatening time God reminded his people through his prophet, Isaiah, of an unchanging truth. “The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high…and [consequently] wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation” (Isaiah 33:5-6).

God is the source of our comfort and hope. The circumstances of our lives are under his control. The Scriptures tell us that he “works all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11; emphasis added). This includes the advance and retreat of kings and their kingdoms. To finish the story above, Assyria was precluded from invading Jerusalem; the LORD himself destroyed their army; they returned home and their king was killed by his own two sons.

But it is not sufficient to only know that God is in control. What makes that truth so assuring and comforting is that God is also unfailingly good. God is always good and he only does good. His behavior is not contingent on our goodness, but flows from his very nature. The child of God can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). As Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The God who comforted David is the same God who confirmed his word to Paul and is the same God that we love and serve today. Both his purpose and goodness are unchangeable.

There is much to discourage and dishearten the believer today. A casual viewing of the evening news confirms this. But God invites each of us to put our confidence in him that we may know his peace in our times. Those that do so “shall not be afraid of evil tidings: [for] his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7). Consequently, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). We can have peace in our times.